OK call me a sucker. I went on line a month or so back to look for a new front door. Found what I wanted from a company that had a local address but which turned out to be a national one with a particularly obnoxious TV ad. Never mind, I got the door. Then they made me an offer on a couple of windows that I really did want to change. Good discount on those. They are nice windows, just what I wanted. Then came the phone call from their parent company about soffits and fascias. I have no idea if I need new fascia boards and I don't have soffits on my Victorian end terrace. Anyway, I said they could give me a quote but I wouldn't commit myself to accepting it. 'OK' they said, 'it will be valid for a year.' Today the salesman turned up, very smooth and smart young man. He had all the pictures and samples of the materials. They probably are good quality, but I am no judge. Gave me a quote of well over £10K. When I raised my eyebrows he quickly came up with a discount of 50% provided I signed up today and gave him a 10% deposit. Surprise, surprise. I kept my eyebrows up. He phoned head office and they brought the price down to a little over £4K, on the same condition plus letting them use my house as a show home. No, I didn't cave in. I refused to commit. For one thing, I don't know if I actually need new fascias and gutters and for another, if I did I would get several quotes. But what's the betting that I get another phone call making me an offer I 'can't refuse'. Don't know if I am allowed to mention the name of this home improvement company but it's a sign of the Zodiac that means, roughly, maiden.
